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The Wellington Avalanche: A Tragic Chapter In Railroad History

Published: January 25, 2025

By: Adam Burns

In the early days of March 1910, the Great Northern Railway, an essential lifeline threading through the rugged terrain of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State, became the scene of one of the deadliest avalanches in U.S. history.

Known as the Wellington Avalanche, this natural disaster led to the loss of 96 lives and became a harrowing reminder of the potent and unpredictable forces of nature.

The Wellington train disaster at Wellington, Washington on March 1, 1910. From the Library of Congress Photo Archives.

The Setting: The Great Northern Railway and the Cascade Mountains

The Great Northern Railway was an engineering marvel of its era, carving a path through treacherous landscapes to connect the northern United States from St. Paul to Seattle.

This ambitious project was the brainchild of James J. Hill, whose vision for American transportation was as grand as the mountainous backdrop it traversed. The Cascade Mountains posed particular challenges, with steep, rugged terrain, heavy snowfall, and notorious weather unpredictability.

Located in the northwestern part of Washington State, Stevens Pass—a pivotal segment of this railway line—was especially hazardous during the winter months. Avalanches in this region were not uncommon, prompting the construction of snow sheds along the route to protect trains from slides.

The Snowstorm and the Standstill at Wellington

In late February 1910, relentless blizzards began to engulf the Cascades, depositing unprecedented amounts of snow. By February 23rd, the mountainous region was buried under a thick, unstable snowpack.

Two Great Northern trains, the Spokane Express No. 25 and a mail train No. 27, found themselves stranded in the small railway community of Wellington (later renamed Tye) due to snow-blocked tracks.

Located precariously at the mouth of a series of steep slopes and cliffs, Wellington was situated in one of the most avalanche-prone areas of the Cascades.

As the snowstorm persisted, the conditions became increasingly ominous. Days of snow accumulation, followed by a brief spell of warmer temperatures and rain, heightened the risk of avalanches throughout the region.

March 1, 1910: Avalanche Strikes

By the end of February, nearly 11 feet of snow had accumulated, and tensions were high among the passengers and crew. The railway workers, directed by Superintendent James O’Neill, were tirelessly working to clear the tracks. However, nature would not be tamed easily. In the early morning hours of March 1, as the storm continued to rage, tragedy struck.

At approximately 1:00 AM, a massive slab of snow broke free from Windy Mountain. The avalanche, nearly a half-mile wide and a quarter-mile long, descended rapidly down the mountainside, a force of nature that was both breathtaking and horrifying. With unimaginable power, the snowslide engulfed the two trains sitting on sidings at Wellington.

The Spokane Express and the mail train, carrying a combined total of nearly 125 passengers and crew, were hurled 150 feet down the embankment into the Tye River Valley. The wooden railcars splintered upon impact, transforming the serene snowy landscape into a chaotic scene of wreckage and despair.

Rescue Efforts and Aftermath

Rescue efforts commenced immediately, though the relentless weather and challenging terrain made them perilous. Survivors, many suffering from severe injuries or hypothermia, had to be carried or guided back to the relative safety of Wellington.

Local railroad workers and nearby town volunteers labored tirelessly, but their progress was impeded by continued snowfall and the risk of additional avalanches.

Telegraph lines—vital for communicating with the outside world—were down, delaying news of the disaster. It wasn't until days later that word reached Seattle and beyond, prompting a more substantial rescue operation.

By then, the grim scope of the disaster was evident: 96 lives lost, including passengers, railroad employees, and mail workers.  This included 35 passengers, 58 Great Northern employees aboard the trains, and three railroad workers at the depot.

However, 23 individuals survived after being pulled from the wreck by railroad workers who had swiftly arrived from their accommodations at nearby buildings. The rescue efforts were halted due to harsh weather conditions and did not resume until 21 weeks later, in late July, when the final bodies were finally recovered.

Among the dead were entire families, children, and railway veterans whose lives had revolved around the majestic iron horse. The aftermath of the Wellington Avalanche prompted public outcry and discussions about railway safety and avalanche prevention.

The Great Northern undertook significant changes, including the construction of concrete snowshed and a new Cascade Tunnel, an eight-milre bore (opened in 1929), which altered the route away from the avalanche-prone area.

Legacy and Lessons

The tragedy at Wellington was not merely a result of natural forces; it highlighted the complexities of balancing human ambition with respect for environmental hazards.

The disaster underscored the necessity for improved snow management and avalanche prediction in railway operations. Subsequent technological and procedural advancements in avalanche control have undoubtedly saved countless lives.

Wellington's name fades on maps, but the memory of those who perished endures—a solemn chapter in the annals of railroad history. The site remains a poignant reminder of both the power of nature and the indelible human spirit that strives amidst adversity.

Today, the old railway grade through Wellington, including remnants of snow sheds and rail beds, has been repurposed as part of the Iron Goat Trail, a hiking path that serves as a historical journey into the past. The trail commemorates the lives lost and offers a tangible connection to the latent beauty and inherent danger of the Cascade Mountains.

The Wellington Avalanche serves as a narrative of lessons learned and precautions heeded, a testament to the enduring bond between nature and those who dare to traverse its formidable paths.

As modern trains rumble safely through tunnels and fortified passages, the legacy of that fateful March night remains—etched into the very fabric of Washington's mountains and railways.